Forsyth County Public Library is the first public library in North Carolina to have a dedicated outreach
service to its Spanish-speaking residents. The number of native Spanish-speakers in Forsyth County has
grown to over 41,775 in 2010 from only about 2,000 in 1997

The Library is also the first one in the state to have a Spanish Bookmobile — called “Bibliobus” — that
visits neighborhoods with large Hispanic populations, as well as child care centers that serve Hispanics.
The Bibliobus began service in the spring of 2005 and has been a great strategy for the library’s Hispanic
outreach, helping to fulfill the Library’s efforts to serve their Hispanic patrons, who tend to have limited
transportation. The Bibliobus has become a community asset as it is also invited to participate in many
local community events. What stands out about the Bibliobus is a unique wrap-around mural created by
Raul Montero, a Cuban painter who lives in Winston-Salem, the Forsyth County seat. Currently the
Bibliobus is on the road every day of the week, including evenings and weekends for school and
community events.

In addition to the Bibliobus’ collection, Forsyth County Public Library offers multimedia collections of
Spanish language and bilingual materials at the Central Library and all nine branches. These collections
contain a wide variety of materials for children and adults, emphasizing attractive formats, easy
readability, and Latino themes to meet the needs of this special group. Most collections are shelved
together to facilitate family usage.

The Department is headed by Esmirna Esparza, a 28-year Forsyth Library veteran who has a
multicultural background and trilingual skills. Bilingual assistants are Guadalupe Riess Stonestreet, our
part-time Library Assistant, and an AmeriCorps ACCESS Service Member.

A number of exciting special programs are offered by this department, not only for Spanish speakers, but
for English speakers as well. Many of these programs are generously supported by the Hispanic League.

Día de los Niños - Día de los Libros (Day of the Children – Day of the Books)

The Hispanic Services department also plays an active role in programs sponsored by the Library’s
Cultural Diversity Committee - organizing the Library’s annual peace program “Lanterns of Hope“ in
September, hosting Naturalization Ceremonies and Infopass for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services throughout the year.